So much has happened in the first month of soaring for the club. We minted a new tow pilot, Mark Stevens, who has been a HUGE help. New members like Bud Beauchamp progressed rapidly and soloed, old members (not by age!) like Michael Moore culminated their training from last season and soloed, new members like Peter Bruckner, John Light, Chip Lawrence, Eamon Roosa are making great strides. Then we have Dave Caswell who’s almost done building his 20 solo flights to take his commercial glider check ride, Larry Barnes who’s almost there for his private pilot,… Plus, Eric with his relatively fresh private glider certificate, has filled in as unofficial instructor to help others learn his lift-finding secrets. Rob and Michael have been making some really good videos too. Makes the recent lack of lift seem less important!

To cap it all of, on July 4th Cindy finally worked up the courage to fly Ruby after convincing herself that it was going to be a big deal. Not only did she have a great flight but she brought Ruby right back to parking just to show off!!

Pending weather updates, current plan is to assemble on Saturday, May 12 . We’ll also need to walk the gliders over to the tiedown area and finish up the last annual inspection items (mostly wheel bearings) and paperwork so currently thinking of reserving Sunday for overflow work, plus Sunday might be good for members who want to work with our mechanic to inspect their own gliders. Haven’t confirmed his availability yet but will touch base later in the week as the weekend gets closer.

Current plan is to start 9-10am Saturday. Looking for a handful of volunteers!

(meanwhile, Sue and Bill will be trying valiantly to get the tow plane also assembled and ready for weight/balance and final inspection!)

SUNDAY CANCELED
Sunday’s winds are not only going to be rather strong but also gusty and almost all crosswind, so not safe to fly. Sorry, but very happy for those of us who braved the bleak forecast Saturday since both the clouds and the lift were much better than expected!

Welcome to our newest member Michael Moore (who also, by the way, contributed some of our latest new photos!), and our newest glider – an hp14 shared by Sue and John and Rob. Check out the photo gallery page for some updated images.

Sunday looks like a washout, so Saturday might get busy. Hope to see everyone and get everyone a flight but with only 2 gliders please limit your time aloft even if lift is great (or buy your own glider!). Also to help , those working on building time or practice please try to fly early or late if your schedule permits to leave the best thermals in the mid-day to those wanting to play with thermals.